Construction of fire-proof iron buildings



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

E. J. WESTON.

GONSTRUGTION OF FIRE PROOF IRON BUILDINGS.

No. 890,732. Patented 001;. 9, 1888. I

2 SheetseSheet 2.

w V//// /W I N6 Model.) E. J. WESTON.

UON$TRUGTION OF FIRE PROOF IRON BUILDINGS.

Patented Oct. 9, 1888.

Unirnn STATES PATENT Fries.

EDWIN JOHN YVESTON, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

CONSTRUCTION OF FIRE-PROOF IRON BUILDINGS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 390,732, dated October9, 1888.

Application filed May 31,1888. Serial No. 275,569. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWIN JOHN WESTON, of San Francisco, in the countyof San Francisco and State of California, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in the Construction of Iron Buildings; and I doherebydeclare that the following is a full and eX- act descriptionthereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to theletters of reference marked thereon, making a part of thisspecification, in which- Figurel is an elevation in perspective showingmy invention as embodied in a portion of one side ofa structure; Fig. 2,a view in perspective, on an enlarged scale, showing the combination ofthe vertical wrought-iron uprights of the structure with the horizontalplates for the support of the floor-beams and an improved constructionof said plates; Fig. 3, a front elevation of a portion of one side of myimproved structure, showing a modification in its re-enforcing frames orpanels. Fig. 4 is a cross-section in line 00 x, and Fig. 5 across-section in line 3 y, of Fig. 3; Fig. 6, a cross-section in line ofFig. 1, and Fig. 7 a cross-section in line a a of Fig. 2.

My invention relates to a new and useful method of constructing acomparatively light fire proofframe-work for buildings,wherewith theymay be safely erected to great heights without danger of the falling ofthe walls by reason of earthquakes or fire, and be built in locationswhere difficulty exists in finding a suitable foundation for heavy wallsof masonry; and my invent-ion is especially adapted to the constructionof tall towers, chimneys, factories, and works of a similar character.

It consists in the combination,with uprights formed of I-beams ofwrought-iron, of diagonally-braced frames or open panels of castiron,adapted to fit closely between the uprights and to be confined by theflanges thereof, and alsoin the combination,with said wroughtironuprights and intermediate cast iron frames, .of compound horizontalplates const-ructed, as hereinafter described, each of two channel-beamsinclosing a longitudinal castiron re-enforcing plate.

In the accompanying drawings, A A A represent rolled wrought-iron Ibeams, mounted and secured by means of angle-irons B B, or otherappropriate means, to a foundation-plate, C,

which may itself be supported upon a pair of I-beams, D D, horizontallydisposed, as shown in Fig. 1. These wrought-iron uprights may be of alength to extend up for two or more stories, or may be made to reachmerely to the height of a single story. There they extend up unbrokenbeyond the first story, an angle or L-shaped beam, E, of wrought-iron,is bolted horizontally to and against the face of the uprights, tofurnish a support for the floor-beams F F of the structure, whose ends,resting upon said horizontal beam, are properly secured thereto in thecustomary manner.

, Thusfar the structure, composed of wroughtiron beams, is of acharacter well known to the art.

The wrought-iron uprights, if their vert1- cal position be positivelymaintained, may be safely loaded to from three to five tons weight foreach square inch of their sectional area, and one object of my inventionis to stay and brace these wrought-iron uprights in a simple, effective,and economical manner, so as to prevent any lateral motion or flexurethereof. To accomplish this end, I insert between the uprights A Aframes or open panels Gr G, of cast-iron, formed with diagonalintersectlng bl' tCSmllt,2111d which are adapted to fit snugly betweenthe uprights A A and be confined laterally between the flanges thereof,so that by contact with the web of the beams along their length theywill re enforce them and afford a firm lateral support thereto.

The bars of the cast-iron frames are preferably all flanged, as shown inthe cross sections thereof, Figs. 4, 5, and 6, and the upper and lowerbars are preferably cast with a central half-circular longitudinalgroove, n, therein,

(see Fig. 6,) so that when two frames are brought together the oppositebars shall inclose between them a central longitudinal openingto-receive a horizontal bolt or tie-rod, H, by which the adjacentuprights may be drawn together and firmly tied upon the frames, saidbolt being passed through suitable apertures pierced in the web of theupright, as shownin Fig. 1.

In continuing the structure upward above the ends of a tier of uprights,A A, the upper ends of said uprights are connected and tied togetherhorizontally by compound plates I I resting thereon, as shown in Fig. 2,and made fast thereto by angle-irons or knees 1?]?,bolted to the one andthe other. The'eompound plates I Iare constructed each of twochannel-beams. TT, of wroughtiron, fitted together with their flangededges facing inward, and inclosing between them a central bar or plate,K, of castiron, (see Figs. 2 and 7,) the whole being united bytransverse bolls L L, which serve also to secure upon the outer face ofthe plate the angle-irons or knecsP P. The floor-joists F F may consistof wrought-ir0n beams. The ends of these beams resting upon the plates II may fitsnugly between the knees or angle-irons P P, so as to beconfined thereby against lateral movement, as shown in Fig. 2.

The east-iron re-enforcing frames G G may be made single and more orless square in form, with but single intersecting braces m m, as shownin Fig. 1; or they maybe extended to comprise two openwork panelsseparated by a central cross-bar, t, and each intersected by thediagonal braces, as shown in Fig. 3.

The composite frames thus constructed of wrought-iron I-beams A A, reenforced and supported by interposed cast-iron flanged frames or panelsG G, and united by transverse bolts Il l Lmay be closed and made tightby means of metallic netting or lath-work secured upon one or both sidesand plastered with mortar or cement, or by a lining or facing of sheetmetal fastened thereon in the usual manner; or the framing may beiucased in walls of cement, brick, or masonry, to which it will afford afirm support.

I claim as my invention-- 1. The combination, in a metallic framing forelevated structures, of uprights formed of flanged beams of wroughtmetal, with inter" posed diagonally-braced re-enforced frames or panelsof cast metal and transverse tie-rods, substantially in the manner andfor the purpose herein set forth.

2. The combination, in a metallic framing for buildings, of the uprightsA A, consisting of flanged wrought-iron beams, theinterposedre-enforcing panels consisting of diagonallybraced frames G G, ofcast-iron, the transverse tie-rods H, and the horizontal plates I I,each consisting of a pair of channel-beams inclosing between theiropposed flanges a longitudinal re-enforcing plate, K, of eastiron, allsubstantially in the manner and forthepurpose here in set forth.

3. The combination, in a metallic structure, of the wronght iron flangeduprights A A,the united horizontal wroughtiron channel-beams I I,interposed between the ends of the vertical uprights, the cast-ironreenforcing plate K, interposed between the channel-beams, the me tallieknees or angle-irons l P,f1tted in the angles formed by the uprightswith the llOPlZOlltal beams, and the vertical bolts passing through theangle-irons, channel-beams, and interposed re-enl'orcing plate, allsubstantially in the manner and for the purpose herein set forth.

In testimony whereoflhave signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

10f \V l N JOHN W ES'ION.

'Witncsses:

D. G. Clusnomr, (inc. II. PIIPY.

